Accidents happen!
Whether it's a little bed-wetter or apetwho couldn't make it to the walk,TODAY Homeasked a team ofcleaning expertsto share how professionals would deal with this problem and cleanurine stainsof:
Check out these amazing uses for vinegar.
April 10, 201700:52
How to clean urine stains on clothes and bedding
Debra Johnson, cleaning expert at Merry Maids, recommends washing urine-soaked items on a full wash cycle with cold water and a cup ofdistilled white vinegar(no detergent at this time).Vinegarit is an excellent urine stain remover; breaks down uric acid in the urine and facilitates the removal of stains.
When the loop is complete, run the upload again (this time addingdetergent) and wash in the highest water temperature recommended for the fabric.
If the stain has been on the fabric for an extended period of time, soak the garment overnight in vinegar and water and launder as usual in the morning. Repeat soaking the garment in vinegar and water until the stain is removed.
How to clean urine stains on furniture
To begin with, always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning upholstery. For silk, antique and vintage upholstery, consult a professional cleaner.
Fresh urine stains:
Johnson's simple method for removing fresh urine stains from furniture uses detergent,vinegarand water. This is his advice on how to get urine out of a sofa and how to get urine smell out of a sofa and other furniture. (Her suggestions from him not only include how to clean human urine from couch cushions, but also how to get dog urine off couch cushions.)
- Lightly blot the urine stain with amicrofiber clothingto remove excess urine. If you press too hard, you can spread the stain. (Tip: If the stain is fresh, a wet/dry vac will do a great job.)
- Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap with 2 cups of cold water in a small bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar (to sanitize the area and break down the acid) to the solution and stir gently.
- Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the solution.
- Gentlysponge to urine stain, starting at the outside of the stain and working toward the center.
- Repeat as necessary.
- Rinse detergent residue by drying the area with a damp cloth.
- Using a dry microfiber cloth, gently pat area until dry.
Related
Old urine stains:
Jason Weaver of ServiceMaster Clean removes old urine stains from upholstery with a homemade formula.
- In a bowl, mix 10 ounces of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons ofsodium bicarbonate(note: not baking powder) and 2-3 drops of dishwasher detergent. Mix until the baking soda dissolves.
- Pour into a spray bottle.
- Pre-test your upholstery by spraying some cleaner in an inconspicuous spot.
- Let it dry. If the fabric does not change color, proceed as follows:
- Spray the stain and allow the cleaner to sit for an hour. If the stain doesn't go away, repeat the process.
- After the stain is gone, rinse the area of the cleaning solution by wiping with a damp cloth and wiping with aDry toweluntil all the cleaning solution is gone. This is an important step because over time, detergent residue will attract dirt. Also, if not removed, hydrogen peroxide can bleach upholstery and weaken fabric fibers.
- If the stain persists, contact a professional upholstery cleaner.
Why you should clean your mattress and how to do it
October 4, 201700:25
How to clean urine stain on carpet
Matt Smith, Vice President of Marketing for Simple Solution Cleaning Products, explained that when it comes topet stainsand smellon carpets, the main problem for consumers is not using enough product. (Johnson and Weaver confirmed the same.)
Fresh urine stains:
- Using a wet/dry vacuum or paper towels, remove as much urine as possibleforeign.
- Rinse the stain once with cool water.
- Vacuum or wipe up excess water.
- Wet the soiled area with an enzyme-based product and let it sit for at least five minutes. “Pet urine tends tocarpet backing leakand it extends several inches,” Smith said. "So it's best to spray a ring a few inches outside of the stain area and then generouslyspray stain removerin the area inside the ring to saturate the mat and the pad below it.
- Let the vacuum dry naturally, then vacuum.
Note: "Many people spray and wipe immediately, which is not the correct way to clean a pet stain," Smith added. “You have to let the product work to get great results.”
Old urine stains:
Old urine stains can be hard to combat, and sometimes even hard to find. Make your job easier by using a UV urine tracker likeDoggone Pet Products Pet Urine Detector UV FlashlightmiJumbl 100 LED Blacklight UV Flashlight.
Once you've found the stains, it's important to note that they will require more stain remover than fresh stains. Smith explains: “Instead of using a simple enzymatic cleaner, you can tryan oxygen activated enzymatic cleanerto remove stains and destroy odor. Apply as directed and allow to dry naturally, then vacuum.
What you need to remove urine stains:
This article was originally published on March 14, 2018.
FAQs
How do you remove dried urine stains? ›
Soak for 15 minutes in mixture of 1 quart lukewarm water, one-half teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon ammonia. Rub gently from back to loosen stain. Soak another 15 minutes in above mixture. Rinse.
Can Pee stains be permanent? ›Some of this color change can be attributed to the strong ammonia that forms as the urine passes through bacterial and chemical change. If left for days or weeks, depending on the fabric or floor type, it will change the dye structure, therefore causing permanent staining.
Does Dawn remove urine stains? ›Dawn dish soap has a million uses, including removing urine stains and odor from carpets. When combined with hydrogen peroxide, this disinfectant mixture will break down stains on a molecular level and kill bacteria, making it one of the best pet stain removers.
How does vinegar remove old urine stains? ›In a clean spray bottle, mix one cup of distilled white vinegar with one cup of water and 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Shake it up to mix the ingredients, and then spray on the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then blot with towels until clean.
Does hydrogen peroxide remove pee stains? ›Another excellent pet urine remover comes from that well-known, ugly brown bottle. Hydrogen peroxide does a great job at removing dog pee. Just put some peroxide into a spray bottle, soak the stain in a few sprays, and let it sit for about 10 or 15 minutes. To finish the job, clean it up with a rag.
What is the best cleaner for human urine? ›Try mixing about a cup of peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and just a couple drops of dish detergent. Spray the area, allow it to sit for about 20 minutes, and rub the area until the odor is eliminated.
Does rubbing alcohol remove urine stains? ›If stain remains, soak an absorbent pad in rubbing alcohol. Wring as dry as possible. Apply pad to the stain and let it remain on the area for 5 minutes.
How do you remove old urine stains without hydrogen peroxide? ›Create a solution of half water and half distilled vinegar, and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area with your vinegar solution. Blot excess moisture out again using towels. Cover the area with a generous layer of baking soda.
Does Clorox remove urine stains? ›The hydrogen peroxide in Clorox® Urine Remover breaks down the odor at its source through oxidization and removes uric acid crystals. Surfactants, solvent and a low pH work together to clean urine stains from porous grout and other difficult surfaces.
Does OxiClean work on pee stains? ›OxiClean™ Carpet & Area Rug Stain Remover works best on pet stains such as urine, feces, pet vomit and more.
Can you mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide? ›
Hydrogen peroxide + vinegar
While these two chemicals can be used in succession as a cleaning duo, do not mix them together. “Combining these two creates peracetic acid or corrosive acid, an irritant that, in high concentrations, can harm the skin, eyes, throat, nose, and lungs,” says Bock.
In a spray bottle, mix a solution of two parts cold water, one part white vinegar, and a small amount of laundry detergent (a few tablespoons for a standard spray bottle; more if your bottle is larger). Spray the stain liberally — don't be afraid to really soak it!
Can you mix baking soda and white vinegar together? ›These two common household materials can serve as natural cleaners to remove grime and keep your surfaces clean. Because vinegar and baking soda are on opposite ends of the pH scale, they can be combined and used as effective cleaning solutions.
How long does it take vinegar to neutralize urine? ›When vinegar is poured onto the contaminated area, within 5-10 minutes, that stain will be broken down and essentially eliminate the urine.
Does apple cider vinegar remove urine? ›Vinegar and Water
Combine white or apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio. Spray or soak the urine spot with this solution and let sit for up to five minutes. Blot with a paper towel or clean rag, repeat until the smell is gone, and then allow to air dry.
While both can break down stains, hydrogen peroxide is a much more reliable product.
Are pee stains hard to remove? ›If you are battling a dried or set-in urine stain, it's best to soak the fabric in a solution of cool water and oxygen-based bleach for at least 30 minutes. If the stain persists, let the fabric soak in your solution overnight and try washing again.
Is baking soda Good for pee stains? ›Sprinkle baking soda over the dry stain and use an old toothbrush or dry cloth to work it into the mattress's fabric. Let the baking soda sit until it begins to darken. Darkened baking soda is a sign of urine absorption. Once it has darkened, you can vacuum it dry.
Does Salt remove urine stains? ›Salt. This is another easy and effective method to get the fresh pee out of your favourite couch. Since no water is used in the process, this method can come in handy when you struggle with cleaning stains on delicate velour, velvet, microfiber or suede couches.
Does vinegar and baking soda get rid of urine smell? ›What Gets Rid of the Smell of Urine? The white vinegar solution method works to both clean urine stains and eliminate lingering smells. Baking soda is a natural odor neutralizer, and white vinegar breaks down many of urine's strong-smelling chemical compounds.
What chemicals clean urine? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is a safe and effective way to destroy bacterial odors if used at the right level. Surface safe: hydrogen peroxide is also great at removing stains without harming surfaces, including soft surfaces like mattresses, upholstery, carpeting and clothing.
Does Lysol clean urine? ›Lysol Pet Solutions Disinfecting Cleaner is formulated to clean and disinfect tough, dried-on pet messes on hard surfaces like finished wood, glazed ceramic tile, vinyl & laminate. It kills 99.9% of Viruses & Bacteria, and effectively cleans messes like poop, urine, & vomit.
Does oxiclean neutralize urine? ›Oxyclean is a good product to remove the urine and fecal odors from the home. This product actually eliminates any odor during clean up.
Can you mix Dawn and vinegar and baking soda? ›Cleaning Organizing. Tired of stinky, retail cleaners? Try this: Vinegar Cleaner: 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp Dawn dish soap 1 tbsp white vinegar Directions: Fill spray bottle with water. Add Dawn.
What goes first vinegar or baking soda? ›Spray full-strength vinegar on first and let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe the area with a nonabrasive cloth or sponge. If any stains remain, sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub. Then wipe with a clean wet cloth to rinse.
Does Windex neutralize urine? ›Window cleaner is a surprisingly effective pet urine cleaner
By using an ammonia based cleaning spray, such as Windex, we are able to disinfect the impacted area and neutralize much of the ammonia and urea salts.
Adding urine to white vinegar might cause bubbles or a change of color –– you're adding a yellow substance to a clear/white one, after all. But those reactions alone don't confirm the presence of hCG. Bottom line: White vinegar is delicious for a salad dressing, but useless for a pregnancy test.
Does baking soda remove old pee stains? ›Create a solution using 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and 2 to 4 drops of dish soap or liquid laundry detergent. Using a spray bottle, apply the solution generously to any stained areas, allowing the mixture to soak in. Wait for the mixture to dry.
Does dried pee stain? ›Old or dried urine stains can be difficult to remove, often leaving carpet fibers permanently discolored or with an unpleasant lingering odor. The odor of old urine is due to the bacterial decomposition of the urea in the urine which continues as long as there is moisture.